Boxer wins 24th contest after 118-112 points triumph

Hackney-trained John O’Donnell made it win number 24 from 25 contests after he outpointed highly experienced American Terrance Cauthen over 12 roundsat York Hall on Friday night.

In what was a battle of the southpaws on the Hennessy Sports Promotion, with O’Donnell looking strong from the outset, catching his opponent with right jabs and left hooks to the body.

Using his speed and ring-awareness, he forced his opponent onto the back foot for most of the highly competitive contest.

Cauthen fought back, but the Hackney man put his height and reach advantage to good use.

O’Donnell floored his opponent in the fourth, but referee Ken Curtis refused to count the American, claiming he slipped.

Cauthen was warned on a number of occasions for holding, before O’Donnell again resumed control landing some heavy jabs and hooks.

O’Donnell finished strongly and was awarded the contest 118 points to 112 by referee Curtis.

“Overall I was pleased with my performance,” he told the Gazette.

This was the best boxer I have ever faced and the most experienced. When he kept holding me I did not want to waste energy trying to get out of his clinch.”

A few years ago Cauthen was rated in the top 10 welterweights in the world and was a fine amateur, winning a bronze medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

“The reason why I gave up my commonwealth welterweight title (last defended in March 2009) was because my team did not want that belt to hold me back, so I could go onto the next level,” O’Donnell added.